5/4/05
State should bless latest Twins stadium proposal
It is time to get real over building a new stadium to keep the Minnesota Twins.
Most Minnesotans want to see the Minnesota Twins stay, but some think someone else should pay for the stadium.
The reality is Carl Pohlad is not going to pay more than $125 million (35 percent) in the present offer, no matter how much people think he should.
The Twins are saying they need a new stadium to keep up with the times, or they will have to go play ball some place else.
There are cities without major league ball clubs who will build stadiums and promise the moon to get this franchise.
If the Twins were to leave, the state would do everything, even build a stadium, to get a major league team. Just look how the state built the Xcel Center in St. Paul to get a National League Hockey team!
This latest proposal, which is a deal between the Minnesota Twins and Hennepin County, is the best one so far, because itís simple and straight-forward.
Of course, someone will have to pay for it. An increase in the tax of 0.15 percent, on sales in Hennepin County is reasonable, and it will be paid by everyone who comes to the ball park in Minneapolis and buys merchandise in Hennepin County. The tax money will be used to pay off bonds for the $478 million needed to build the ball park.
The Minnesota Legislature will wail over having another tax and may slap on a referendum. This would kill it, not because it isnít a good proposal but people will vote against a tax.
This time around, however, the stadium proposal has the support of Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, because no state revenues are involved and it makes sense. He doesnít want to see the Twins leave on his watch.
Contrary to whatís being said, this stadium proposal will not affect how much state money will go to schools, transportation or health care. In the big picture, dollars for education, transportation, health care and human services are a higher priority than a stadium, but the county sales tax money, if approved, will go for a stadium.
The baseball stadium should not get mixed in with the stadium for the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Vikings. These are separate issues with separate funding.
The Metrodome, which is still a fine facility, was built as a football stadium, not for baseball. It has the roof everyone desires and is a satisfactory facility for the Minnesota Vikings and the University of Minnesota Gophers.
Itís time to get this baseball stadium deal done. The loss of the stadium and consequent loss of the Twins would be a blow to this stateís quality of life, its reputation and attraction to tourists.
The Legislature should bless this proposal this session so Minnesotans can put this matter behind them and continue to enjoy major league baseball. -- Don Heinzman
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